Samba: Lesson 4 (KS2 or KS3)

This is the fourth lesson in a really fun, entirely practical scheme of work that introduces students to Brazilian Samba, with some music theory thrown in (rhythm notation reading). I normally do it with year 7, and they love it - especially the silly phrases for remembering rhythms! I’ve also done this with primary students - it’s appropriate (and equally useful) for any students over about 7 years old. It’s one of my favourite units to teach.

This lesson includes a review of the concepts introduced in lesson 3, and an introduction to the structure of the full samba piece, performed as a whole class.

It develops performance skills, listening skills, ensemble skills, notation reading and awareness of musical structure.

You will need enough percussion instruments for each student to have one. You can either use samba instruments, or if you don’t have these, any percussion instruments will do.

If you like it, please do let me know with a review :)